Private R Barringer, Royal Garrison Artillery, Eaton Socon

We have had a very hot time the last few days. We have been shelled very heavily. I have never been in such heavy shell-fire before. To make it worse they were nearly all gas shells. They sent us about 153 shells in 33 minutes, and after that they kept it up for several hours. One officer was killed and several wounded, and one man was killed. We had orders to leave the place, so they all went, but I hung back and stayed with one wounded man. Shells were flying all round. I was the only one anywhere near that I could see, and the poor fellow I was risking my life for, trying to save, died in my arms. He had only been with us 1 ½ hours. I have been recommended for the D.C.M. I shall be home in a fortnight’s time.